What is your definition of “ethics” and how does it affect your roles as an educator?

Hello! I have just started my career in the field of admissions and I have noticed some interested topics that come with the job. First is that you have to understand the knowledge needed to promote and sell the school and its programs. Second, to get students to come in and enroll it takes a lot of foot work in terms of calls, emails, answering questions, and scheduling appointments. Third, once a student gets to their appointment you have to access whether the programs are right for the student and the student is right for your school. The job doesn't seem like it would be difficult, but it takes a lot to go through and assess all these small details. On top of all the work that already needs done, agents have to be extremely careful in their tact and the way they represent information to follow state guidelines. With all this work I wish anyone else that is entering this field, is to go in with your eyes open and be ready to work hard.

If you are a very small school can your students get financial aide? If so how do you go about getting your school signed up for that?

It is now 2014 and yet most of these Admissions laws/rules seem to need updating. How often does particular rules and regulations go through the process of being updated?

Creating a notebook to help me stay organized with the different State Regulatory Agencies and up to date with current information will allow me to give the best possible service to any potential student I am assisting.

So many students today deem it necessary to text in their very expensive and important- to their success in their education classes. How about the U. S. Dept. of Education making it a rule for ALL Title IV schools to prohibit texting during class. How rude to the teacher and fellow students. We don't permit in movies or church among other events, why not school? Maybe this is partly why the U.S. ranks 26th in the world in math & science!

More and more prospective students are coming in to our school with "diploma-mill" diplomas. The U. S. Dept. of Education surely has the manpower and the court system to back them up-so why don't they start shutting down some of these diploma mills. Many on our list of unacceptable proof of graduation (for Title IV funding) have been on the list for years!

A student is applying for entrance into your school and makes some comments that seem to "tip you off" that they are really only there to collect on their Fed. Financial Aid and then will withdraw. Can an admissions personnel legally deter them in any way from enrolling and stop another loan default?

A student wants to enroll in your licensing program while you are advising against it because you know their "background" will be very difficult in their placement. The student says, "don't worry as I will find my own placement because I know many individuals & companies in the industry. He presses you for admission. Is a waiver of placement advisable or should be used or not used here?

Can an admissions agent for a school say,"since we are an accredited institution our placement percentages are always accurate?

How far can an admissions agent go in discussing a competing institution with a potential enrollee?

I bring this up because over the years there have unfortunately been situations where an admissions rep will fly through the paper work with the prospective student and ask them to sign it. I think its important that we make sure we encourage the prospective student to ask any questions they may have, and make sure they understand what they are signing, before they sign it. I think it's important to slow down take our time and go over the information on the enrollment agreement with them in detail. This simple practice will benifit the student, the rep, the school and the industry.

It is our practice that we do not discuss specifics on other schools. I am curious though about other colleges' tour practices. If a prospective student references a specific college to compare to yours, do you still just focus on your own college or if you know specific differences, do you identify them?

I saw that some of you are able to use texting. However at my school we were told we can no longer do that. It this a business decision? Don't you have to have consent in order to text a prospective student?

Do you believe that fostering an ethical and compliance culture affects your professional relationships in the classroom or lab? If so, how?

In addition to students and graduates, who else do you feel is affected by noncompliant actions?

As representatives of our schools and with the many regulations that undergird our actions and communications with students, prospective students and the community at large, it may appear “safer” to say nothing at all. Yet, students need accurate and fully disclosed information to make informed choices about their education. What guidelines has your school put in place to help ensure compliant communications?

Of all of the potential consequences and costs associated with misrepresentation, which do you feel is the most detrimental?

What information do you believe needs to be disclosed to prospective and current students so that they can make informed decisions about their education?

What do you consider to be the main purpose for the regulation of career schools and colleges?